Guatemalan Cuisine • US Edition

Guatemala Food: Traditional Dishes, Authentic Recipes & Culture

Discover the flavors of Guatemala—from pepián and jocón to street-food classics and festive desserts. Learn authentic techniques, ingredient swaps for U.S. kitchens, and the cultural stories behind each dish.

Traditional Dishes
Recipes
Street Food
Drinks
Desserts
Ingredients
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Ingredient Glossary

Traditional Guatemalan Food at a Glance

A cuisine built on maize, chiltepe, sesame, pepitoria, and slow-simmered stews. Explore iconic dishes and the regional flavors that make Guatemala unique.

Guatemalan Pepián

Explore the Flavors of Guatemala

Handpicked guides with techniques, substitutions for U.S. markets, and step-by-step recipes.

Dishes

Traditional Dishes

Pepián, Jocón, Kak’ik, Hilachas, Tamales and more—history, ingredients, and how to serve.

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Cook

Recipes for Home Cooks

Authentic methods adapted to U.S. kitchens, with substitutions and pro tips.

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Street

Street Food & Antojitos

Shucos, tostadas, tamales, chuchitos—flavor-packed bites from markets and carts.

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Drinks

Drinks & Atole

Atol de elote, coffee, cacao, horchata, and festive ponche—warm and refreshing classics.

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Sweet

Desserts

Rellenitos, buñuelos, champurradas and more—comforting sweets with tradition.

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Ingredients

Ingredients & Substitutions

Chiltepe, loroco, achiote, pepitoria—what they are and how to swap in the U.S.

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Cultural

Culture Food & Daily Life

Explore the central role of corn, the buzz of the local mercado, and the family traditions.

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Facts

Trivia Food Facts & Curiosities

Did you know Guatemala is the birthplace of chocolate? Discover surprising facts about its ingredients..

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Most Popular Guatemalan Dishes

Discover the iconic meals that define Guatemalan cuisine. Each dish below includes a link to a full recipe or detailed guide:

Pepian Guatemala

pepian guatemala

Guatemala’s national stew made with chicken, vegetables, and roasted spices.

Full Recipe
Kakik

Kak’ik

A spicy turkey stew from Alta Verapaz, rich in Mayan heritage that has transcended borders and generations.

Full Recipe
Jocon Guatemala

Jocon

It’s a delicious chicken in green salsa, made with ingredients like tomatillos and cilantro

Full Recipe
Chuchitos

Chuchitos

The Guatemalan version of tamales, wrapped in corn husks. They are very traditional in cultural ceremonies.

Full Recipe
Hilachas

Hilachas

It is a delicious shredded beef in tomato and tomatillo sauce, a favorite dish of many.

Full Recipe
Paches

Paches

It is a tasty Guatemalan tamale, made with a dough based on potato or rice, filled with meat and recado.

Full Recipe
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Regional Flavors & Seasonal Dishes

Caribbean

Garífuna Tapado

Coconut seafood stew from Guatemala’s Caribbean coast.

Festive

Fiambre (Day of the Dead)

Once-a-year salad with history, families, and flavor.

Holy Week

Holy Week Foods

Traditional meals and sweets during Guatemala’s famous Semana Santa.

Authentic Guatemalan Recipes You Can Cook at Home

Bring Guatemala to your kitchen with our collection of authentic Guatemalan recipes.

From comforting stews to sweet desserts like Atol de Elote and Rellenitos de Plátano, our easy-to-follow guides include ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and tips for achieving traditional flavors using local U.S. ingredients.

View Recipes of Guatemala

Comforting Stews and Traditional Main Courses

Explore the heart of Guatemalan cuisine with our savory main courses. We’ll guide you through creating rich, comforting stews like Pepián and Jocón, perfect for warming up any evening.

Sweet Desserts: Atol de Elote and Rellenitos

Satisfy your cravings with authentic Guatemalan desserts. This section focuses on the sweet side of Guatemala, featuring step-by-step recipes for classics like the creamy Atol de Elote (sweet corn beverage) and the delicious Rellenitos de Plátano (plantain balls stuffed with sweet beans).

Easy Guides with Local U.S. Ingredients

We make Guatemalan cooking accessible, no matter where you are. Our guides break down each recipe into simple, step-by-step instructions. We include complete ingredient lists and offer practical tips on how to achieve traditional flavors using ingredients commonly available in U.S. supermarkets.

Guatemalan Street Food

No visit to Guatemala is complete without trying its colorful street snacks. These are the flavors you’ll find in local markets and town fairs:

Tostadas

Tostadas

With guacamole, refried beans or tomato sauce, these enchiladas are a flavorful treat.

Full Recipe
Elotes Locos

Elotes Locos

The flavor of roasted corn with cheese, salsa, mayonnaise, mustard and chili is very famous and known as Picamas.

Full Recipe
Tacos Chapines

Tacos Chapines

Crispy tacos filled with meat, cabbage and onion, served with chili sauce.

Full Recipe
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The Most Popular Guatemalan Dishes

The Most Popular Guatemalan Dishes

Want to know what Guatemala is most famous for?
Here you’ll find the most popular Guatemalan dishes — from national favorites like Pepián to local specialties like Tamales Colorados and Fiambre. Each plate tells a unique story of community, celebration, and identity.

Traditional Guatemalan Desserts and Drinks

Guatemalans love to end their meals with something sweet or comforting. Try these local favorites:

Rellenitos de Plátano

Rellenitos de Plátano

A delicious mix of mashed bananas filled with sweet beans with sugar and cream.

Full Recipe
Atol de Elote

Atol de Elote

Creamy corn drink served hot, accompanied by cinnamon powder and some corn kernels.

Full Recipe
Fresco de Jamaica

Rosa de Jamaica

Hibiscus flower drink, refreshing and acidic, also known as Jamaica Fresco, very traditional to accompany lunches.

Full Recipe
Buñuelos Guatemala

Buñuelos

Fried dough balls served hot in an anise and cinnamon syrup.

Full Recipe
Horchata de Arroz

Horchata de Arroz

A refreshing and creamy drink made from ground rice with cinnamon and vanilla.

Full Recipe
Arroz con Leche

Arroz con Leche

A thick, homemade dessert made from rice cooked slowly in milk, with cinnamon and raisins.

Full Recipe
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Food Culture and History of Guatemala

Behind every traditional dish lies centuries of culture.
Learn how Guatemala’s geography, Indigenous roots, and regional traditions shape its cuisine.

Tostadas

The Mayan influence in Guatemalan cooking

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Elotes Locos

Regional variations: Highlands, Coast, and Petén

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Tacos Chapines

Holiday and festival foods: tamales, fiambre, torrejas

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Explore More from Guatemala Food

Browse more topics to learn about Guatemalan traditions, ingredients, and culinary travel tips.

Ingredients guide: local spices, corn, beans, herbs very traditional in Guatemalan food.

We offer you perfect ideas for Guatemalan breakfast, also known as desayuno chapin.

We cannot leave out Guatemalan vegetarian dishes with the flavor of the land of eternal spring.

We are Guatemalans at heart and we share our travel and gastronomy experiences with you.

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About GuatemalaFood.us

GuatemalaFood.us is a cultural project dedicated to sharing authentic Guatemalan recipes, food stories, and travel experiences with the world.

Our goal is to preserve the country’s rich culinary heritage and make it easy for anyone to explore Guatemala through its flavors.

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+1 (323)-456-91-23

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info@guatemalafood.us

Where to Eat in Guatemala

Planning a trip? Here are some of the best ways to taste authentic Guatemalan food:

Tostadas

Local markets in Antigua and Chichicastenango

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Elotes Locos

Traditional comedores (small restaurants)

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Tacos Chapines

Modern Guatemalan cuisine in Guatemala City

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Guatemalan Recipes to Try at Home

Want to recreate these dishes? Start with easy recipes that bring Guatemala’s flavors to your kitchen.

Guatemalan Recipes